Star Flyer ride is safe, say WinterFest bosses
Organisers calm fears over event’s main attraction
WinterFest bosses have moved to calm fears over the towering Star Flyer ride in Paisley.
Safety concerns have been raised because the gigantic swing ride appears to be stacked on top of wooden pallets and wooden blocks - which are on the steps of the cenotaph.
Express readers have slated the attraction, which sees riders catapulted up into the air, calling it “an accident waiting to happen.”
And they are demanding an urgent health and safety probe into the ride, to ensure that proper licensing procedures have been followed in granting permission for the erection of the attraction.
One reader, Mr Vic Wills, also criticised council chiefs for letting organisers set up the M& D’s ride on stairs of the cenotaph at Paisley Cross, following the recent remembrance commemoration.
He said: “Who in the council planning department authorised the installation of an amusement ride the height of Nelson’s column to be erected within inches of the cenotaph, which only last week was adorned in sombre reflection with poppies of remembrance?
“This monstrosity is not only causing offence but is also an accident waiting to happen.
“Whoever heard of building an amusement ride on a slope and then bolstering it with wooden blocks, especially in a town centre?”
Other Buddies have contacted the Express via social media to vent their worries about the massive ride.
One reader, Steven Dick, sent a photo and comment via our Facebook stream, claiming: “This is a site held up with wooden blocks putting people’s lives at risk”
While another caller who contacted our newsroom, but asked to remain anonymous, said: “This thing is about 100 feet tall and should not be built on- or so near - to the cenotaph.
“It is too high and too near the cenotaph - end of.”
WinterFest organisers at Paisley First have moved to calm fears by insisting the ride is completely safe and has passed a string of strict safety tests.
They pointed out that only the walkway is on top of wooden supports, while the ride itself is actually part of a rigid structure.
Paisley First has also stressed that riders will not be flying over the cenotaph.
Yesterday a spokeswoman said: “The public response to Paisley First WinterFest has been overwhelmingly positive from local businesses and residents alike, as we aim to attract additional visitors to the town centre in the run up to Christmas.
“As organiser, M&D Events has followed strict processes and procedures in order to satisfy the conditions of the public entertainment license which was issued by Renfrewshire Council on November 16.
“The construction of the Star Flyer Ride is not yet complete.
“As is standard for this type of event, all rides will be inspected by an independent safety engineer and this will be overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, before any rides are allowed to open to the public.
“Safety is our top priority and we want this to be a great festive event for the whole of Paisley.”
She added: “In terms of the placement of the Star Flyer ride beside the cenotaph, M& D Events has followed strict guidelines from Renfrewshire Council and complied with the permitted distance from the structure to the monument.
“In addition, the chairs will not fly over the monument when the ride is in use.”
A Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “The application for an event licence met all the statutory conditions, and was approved by the council’s Regulatory Functions Board last week.
“Any issues over the operation of the event are being managed by M&Ds and Paisley First, and the safety of the structures is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive.
“Council staff and police will continue to work with the organisers to help them minimise any impact on residents or businesses.”